Startup Brewery Challenge Returns to Brewbound Session – Apply Today!

Brewbound is pleased to announce that the Startup Brewery Challenge, our bi-annual business pitch competition, will return for a fourth edition at the June 11 Brewbound Session in Chicago, IL.

Presented by Craft Brew Alliance, the Startup Brewery Challenge gives U.S. craft breweries who have been on the market for less than two years a chance to show off their business plans, sample one core product offering and receive immediate feedback from a panel of expert judges.

“Since launching the competition in December 2013, we’ve seen the level of entrepreneurial talent and the quality of both the beer and the pitch improve immensely, and we expect that to continue in 2015,” said Brewbound editor Chris Furnari.

Competing for the chance to become the Widmer “Brother for a Day,” the winning company will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Portland, Ore. and the opportunity to craft a new collaboration beer with Widmer Brothers Brewing. Winners will also take an extensive tour of the company’s production brewery, participate in Widmer Brothers’ daily taste panel and receive business coaching from CBA executives as well as sales, marketing, graphics, quality assurance and packaging department leaders.

Participating entrepreneurs will be given three minutes to explain their business propositions, and company mission statements, and will receive immediate feedback from a judging panel that will include accomplished beer executives, innovative brewers and savvy craft retailers. Pitching in front of a more than 200 industry professionals, Startup Brewery Challenge participants will also be allowed to visually showcase their brands with Powerpoint slides.

Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the winner of Startup Brewery Challenge 4?

Simply visit the application page for a complete listing of rules and selection criteria. Applicants will be evaluated and chosen by the Brewbound team. Questions about the competition can be directed to Jon Landis at jlandis@bevnet.com or 617-231-8834.

Complete details on the Startup Brewery Challenge, including exact timing of the competition and judging announcements will be made in the coming weeks.

Past winners of the Startup Brewery Challenge include CODA Brewing, Appalachian Mountain Brewing and 5 Stones Brewing. Last December, as a direct result of participating in the Startup Brewery Challenge, Appalachian Mountain Brewing and CBA formed a strategic partnership. That partnership recently evolved into a master distribution arrangement and a commitment from CBA to market, sell and distribute AMB products exclusively through its wholesale network.

About Brewbound Session:

Combining the best in business information and networking, the Brewbound Session offers an unmatched strategic learning opportunity for craft brewers and wholesalers. Focused on the business side of craft brewing, the event will take place in Chicago, IL on Thursday, June 11. Current speakers include Anheuser-Busch InBev’s CEO of Craft, Andy Goeler; Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis; Tenth and Blake president Scott Whitley and Alchemy & Science president Alan Newman, among others.

The Brewbound Session provides an excellent opportunity to learn marketing, investment, and distribution strategies, as well as hear case studies of successful brands in a highly collaborative atmosphere. The upcoming conference aims to address the topics that most directly impact craft brewers as they look to grow their brands.